Academy trust to make its case in Bishop's Castle
A multi-academy trust has said it should come as no surprise that Bishop's Castle Primary School has been seeking to join it – as it has been holding talks with schools in the area since May 2016.
The primary was the centre of controversy in recent weeks after governors at Bishops Castle secondary school The Community College expressed shock and concern at its feeder school's announcement, saying it would make more sense if all schools in the area co-ordinated action and became part of the same multi-academy trust together – and called a town-wide public meeting at the SpArC Theatre to discuss the matter.
Since then the primary school has agreed to hold fire on its application to join the Ludlow-based Bishop Anthony Educational Trust, or BAET, until more information on joining other multi-academy trusts in the area has been considered.
But BAET chief executive Judith Tinsley said: "We were surprised that the news of Bishop’s Castle Primary School’s interest in joining BAET has come as a shock to the head of the Community College as we were invited and accepted the opportunity to discuss with him, and the head of the primary school, the possibility of working with schools in the Clun Valley in May 2016."
BAET is linked to the Diocese of Hereford and oversees nine schools including Ludlow Infant and Nursery School, Bitterley CofE Primary School, Morville CofE School and Hereford Academy.
Mrs Tinsley said the trust will be one of those presenting at upcoming meetings to decide how schools around south west Shropshire will be arranged.
She said: “BAET are delighted to accept a separate invitation to an education stakeholders meeting in May by the chair of the South West Shropshire Learning Trust. This is in addition to the talks we have already held with a significant number of schools that are members of the learning trust. We welcome this opportunity to present our vision and values, alongside other multi-academy trusts.
“BAET is continuing to thrive and grow with three more schools due to convert to academies shortly and we are working closely with the regional schools commissioner to ensure that our capacity meets the needs of all our existing and new academies.”
